FINDINGS FROM THE 2012 SENIOR SURVEY - Dartmouth …availability of faculty (98%), while 92% were satisfied with course availability. Satisfaction with Academic Experience. 0%. 20%

Office of Institutional ResearchDartmouth College

FINDINGS FROM THE 2012 SENIOR SURVEY

1

Office of Institutional Research

Title Page

Overview 3

Respondent Characteristics 6

Satisfaction & Experiences 9

Paying for College 23

Plans for the Fall 25

Peer Comparisons 26

Reflections 46

Contents CO

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• The purpose is to report the satisfaction of graduating seniors with their overall college experience.

• Satisfaction was measured and analyzed over both general and specific areas of college life to better understand our students’ undergraduate experiences and to further enhance them.

• Dartmouth’s results are contrasted with those of two different peer groups to provide benchmarking information with comparable institutions.

Purpose OV

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• Thirty-one highly selective, private colleges and universities participated in the 2012 Senior Survey. We selected 14 of the participating schools to include in this investigation.

• Two peer groups were created to provide an external point of comparison and bench-marking for our survey results.

• Peer Group 1 contains highly selective, private universities (n=10) and Peer 2 Group includes participating Ivy League schools (n=4).

Definition of Peer Groups OV

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• The 2012 Senior Survey was emailed to 1,118 seniors. Of those email addresses, 40 bounced back for a total population of 1,078 receiving the survey.

• Dartmouth’s response rate was 55% (n=592).

• While slightly more women and white students responded to the survey, the responding seniors were generally representative of the population of graduating seniors.

Survey Methodology OV

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• Consistent with other surveys, a greater proportion of woman completed the survey than men.

Gender

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Male

Female

Gender

6


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• There were no significant differences between respondents and non-respondents with respect to race/ethnicity.

Race and Ethnicity

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Two or more races

Hawiian or Pacific Islander

American Indian

Unknown race

Non-Resident Alien

Black/African-American

Hispanic/Latino

Asian/Asian-American

White

Race/Ethnicity/Citizenship

7


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• Social science majors were over-represented in the sample while interdisciplinary majors were under-represented.

Major

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Interdisciplinary Programs

Humanities

Sciences

Social Sciences

Division of Major

8

SATISFACTION & EXPERIENCES


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• Overall satisfaction with the college experience decreased from 2010 and returned to 2008 levels.

Overall Satisfaction with Dartmouth College

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

2002

2004

2006

2008

2010

2012

Overall Satisfaction

Very Satisfied Generally Satisfied Ambivalent Generally Dissatisfied Very Dissatisfied

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• In 2012, 81% of Dartmouth seniors would recommend Dartmouth to other students, which is on par with previous administrations of the survey.

Recommendation of Dartmouth College

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

2002

2004

2006

2008

2010

2012

Recommend Institution

Definitely would Probably would Maybe Probably would NOT Definitely would NOT

11


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• More than 90% of Dartmouth seniors were satisfied with the overall quality of instruction (98%) and the availability of faculty (98%), while 92% were satisfied with course availability.

Satisfaction with Academic Experience

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Academic advising before declaring amajor

Academic advising after declaring amajor

Opportunities to participate in researchwith faculty member

Availability of academic support andassistance

Availability of courses outside yourmajor

Overall quality of instruction

Out-of-class availability of faculty


Very Satisfied Generally Satisfied

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• Students were most satisfied with instruction in humanities and art (96%) and social science (95%).

• Seniors were least satisfied with instruction in natural science and math (77%).

Satisfaction with Academic Experience (cont.)

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Natural science and math

Engineering

Social science

Interdisciplinary courses

Humanities and art



13


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• Students were extremely satisfied with various components of their major experience.

• They were most satisfied with the helpfulness of faculty (97%), out-of-class faculty availability (97%), and the quality of instruction (95%).

Satisfaction with Components of Major

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Quality of advising

Availability of tutoring and other help

Laboratory experience

Career opportunities associated with major

Flexibility (e.g., time for electives)

Overall satisfaction w/major

Availability of courses

Classrooms and classroom facilities

Opportunities for class discussion

Level of intellectual excitement

Size of classes

Quality of instruction

Helpfulness of faculty outside the classroom

Out-of-class faculty availability

Satisfaction with Major


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• Seniors were also satisfied with other academic experiences.

• Over 90% of seniors were satisfied with the following experiences: internship abroad (97%), publishing/presenting a paper off campus (96%), off campus experiences in the US (92%), and other research experiences (92%).

Satisfaction with Other Academic Experiences

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

Tutorial help provided by school or dept.

Research w/faculty member

Independent study

Study abroad

Internship in US

Other research experiences

Off-campus in US

Publishing/presentuing paper off campus

Internship abroad



15


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• Students’ satisfaction with elements of campus life varied dramatically.

• 98% of seniors felt secure on campus.

• 90% or more were satisfied with club sports, recreational/intramurals, guest speakers and campus-wide events and student clubs and organizations.

• 69% and 68% were satisfied with the climate for ethnic/racial minority and LGBTQ students, respectively.

• 49% were satisfied with the student government.

Satisfaction with Campus Life

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Student government

Climate for LGBTQ students on campus

Climate for ethnic/racial minority students…

Social life on campus

Sense of community where you live

Degree of ethnic/racial diversity of the…

Sense of community on campus

Level of intellectual excitement on campus

Opportunities to participate in…

Student clubs and organizations

Guest speakers and campus-wide events

Opportunities to participate in intramural…

Opportunities to participate in club sports

Feeling of security on campus



16


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• Seniors were most satisfied with the following facilities or services: labs (98%), the library (98%), classrooms (98%), athletic facilities (97%), student employment (90%), and foreign language labs (90%).

Satisfaction with Facilities and Services

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Foreign language facilities

Student employment programs

Computer facilities

Athletic and recreational facilities

Classrooms

Library facilities

Lab facilities and equipment

Satisfaction with Facilities/Services


17


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• Seniors were least satisfied with the administration’s responsiveness to students (36%).

• Students were also less satisfied with career services (59%), food services (57%), psychological counseling (49%), and health services (43%).

Satisfaction with Facilities and Services (cont’d.)

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Administration's responsiveness to studentconcerns

Student health services (other than counseling)

Psychological counseling services

Food services

Career services

Satisfaction with Facilities/Services


18


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• Seniors had the highest rate of being “very satisfied” in the area of security on campus.

• Dartmouth improved in two areas compared to 2010, but decreased in nearly all others.

Areas of High Satisfaction Compared to 2010

Top 10 Areas of 2012 2010

High Satisfaction Percent "Very Satisfied"

Percent "Very Satisfied"

Feeling of security on campus 76% 81%Internship abroad 68% 66%Helpfulness of faculty outside the classroom 62% 66%Out-of-class faculty availability (major) 60% 70%Study abroad 60% 61%Library facilities 60% 67%

Out-of-class availability of faculty (overall academic experience) 59% 71%Independent study 57% 62%Humanities and art 52% 52%Level of intellectual excitement (Major) 52% 51%Size of classes 52% 54%Publishing/presenting a paper off campus 52% 66%Athletic and recreational facilities 52% 60%

Higher in 2012

Lower in 2012

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• Of the top 10 areas for improvement in 2012, nearly all were in Campus Services and Facilities and Campus Life.

Areas for Improvement Compared to 2010

Top 10 Areas 2012 2010

for ImprovementPercent "Very Dissatisfied"

Percent "Very Dissatisfied"

Administration's responsiveness 25% 7%

Psychological counselling services 24% 10%

Student health services (other than counseling) 23% 10%

Academic advising before declaring a major 19% 14%

Food services 15% 5%

Student Government 11% 15%

Career Services 10% 13%

Academic advising after declaring a major 9% Not asked in 2010

Climate for LGBTQ students on campus 9% Not asked in 2010

Social lie on campus 9% 5%

Higher in 2012

Lower in 2012

20


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• Dartmouth students reported interacting most with students of different religions, socioeconomic status, and ethnicity.

Interactions with Others

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Different ethnicity

Different nationality

Different sexual orient

Different religion

Different politics

Different SES

Interactions with Different Groups

Very Often Often

21


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• Dartmouth students participated most in alcohol awareness sessions and least in racial/cultural awareness programs.

Participation

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Racial/cultural aware program

Sexual harassment workshop

Alcohol awareness session

Interaction with Different Groups

%Yes

22


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• 52% of Dartmouth respondents received financial aid (e.g., grant, student loan, or work study job).

• Of those respondents who did borrow money, the largest percentages had borrowed $5K-$10K (10%), less than $5K (7%), and more than $40K (6%).

Financial Aid and Debt

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

Amount Borrowed for Education

23


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• The majority of students felt the impact of paying for their education on their family was moderate (32%) to considerate (32%).

Impact on Family

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

Severe Considerate Moderate None/Slight

Impact on Family of Paying for your Education

24


PL

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• Nearly half (49%) of seniors planned on working full-time in the fall.

• Smaller percentages planned on attending graduate or professional school full- or part-time (15%), volunteering (7%), and traveling (7%).

Plans for the Fall

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

Plans after Graduation

25

PEER COMPARISONS


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• Dartmouth students have been “very” or “generally” more satisfied over time compared to students at peer institutions.

Overall Satisfaction Over Time

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012

Satisfaction Over Time: Very + Generally Satisfied

Dartmouth Peer 1 Peer 2

27


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• Over time, Dartmouth students “definitely” or “probably would” recommend Dartmouth at higher rates than students at Peer 1 institutions. Meanwhile, the rates between Dartmouth and Peer 2 institutions has ebbed and flowed over time.

Recommend Institution Over Time

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012

Recommend Institution: Definitely + Probably Would


28


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S• For Dartmouth’s top 10 areas of highest, we outpaced both peer groups in all areas except study abroad and publishing/presenting paper off campus.

Areas of High Satisfaction: Percent “Very Satisfied”

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

Feeling of security oncampus

Internship abroad

Helpfulness of facultyoutside the classroom

Study abroad

Library facilities

Out-of-class availabilityof faculty (overall

academic experience)Independent study

Humanities and art

Level of intellectualexcitement (major)

Publishing/presentingpaper off campus

Athletic andrecreational facilities


Areas of High Satisfaction“Very Satisfied”

29


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• For Dartmouth’s top 10 areas for improvement, we had higher rates of dissatisfaction compared to both peer groups for all items.

Areas for Improvement : Percent “Very Dissatisfied”

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

Administration'sresponsiveness

Psychologicalcounseling services

Student healthservices (other than

counseling)

Academic advisingbefore declaring a

major

Food servicesStudent government

Career services

Climate for LGBTQstudents on campus

Social life on campus


Areas for Improvement“Very Dissatisfied”

30


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• Dartmouth outpaced peers in quality of instruction, and faculty and course availability.

• Students at peer institutions were more satisfied with pre-major advising and tutorial assistance.

Satisfaction with Academic Experiences

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Dartmouth

Peer 1

Peer 2

Dartmouth

Peer 1

Peer 2

Dartmouth

Peer 1

Peer 2

Dartmouth

Peer 1

Peer 2

Dartmouth

Peer 1

Peer 2

Dartmouth

Peer 1

Peer 2

Qua

lity

ofin

stru

ctio

n

Acad

emic

advi

sing

pre-

maj

orFa

culty

avai

labi

lity

Rese

arch

oppt

yTu

tor

avai

labi

lity

Cour

seav

aila

bilit

y



31


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• Dartmouth students were more satisfied with course instruction in all areas compared to peers.

Satisfaction with Course Instruction

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Dartmouth

Peer 1

Peer 2

Dartmouth

Peer 1

Peer 2

Dartmouth

Peer 1

Peer 2

Dartmouth

Peer 1

Peer 2

Hum

aniti

es a

nd a

rtN

atur

al sc

ienc

e an

dm

ath

Soci

al sc

ienc

eEn

gine

erin

g

Satisfaction with Course Instruction


32


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• Dartmouth students were more satisfied overall with their major, flexibility, and course availability.

• Dartmouth students were less satisfied with advising in their major and career opportunities.


0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Dartmouth

Peer 1

Peer 2

Dartmouth

Peer 1

Peer 2

Dartmouth

Peer 1

Peer 2

Dartmouth

Peer 1

Peer 2

Dartmouth

Peer 1

Peer 2

Ove

rall

satis

fact

ion

w/m

ajor

Qua

lity

of a

dvisi

ngFl

exib

ility

(e.g

.,el

ectiv

es)

Care

erop

port

uniti

esCo

urse

ava

ilabi

lity



33


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• Dartmouth students were most satisfied with faculty helpfulness (97%), which outpaced both peer groups.

• Dartmouth students were also generally more satisfied than peers on quality of instruction, intellectual excitement, class discussion, and tutor availability.

Satisfaction with Components of Major (cont.)

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Dartmouth

Peer 1

Peer 2

Dartmouth

Peer 1

Peer 2

Dartmouth

Peer 1

Peer 2

Dartmouth

Peer 1

Peer 2

Dartmouth

Peer 1

Peer 2

Dartmouth

Peer 1

Peer 2

Qua

lity

ofin

stru

ctio

nIn

telle

ctua

lex

cite

men

tLa

bsCl

ass

disc

ussio

nFa

culty

help

fuln

ess

Tuto

rav

aila

bilit

y



34


PE

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SSatisfaction with Other Academic Experiences

• There were no large differences in satisfaction between Dartmouth students and peers among these other academic experiences.

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Dartmouth

Peer 1

Peer 2

Dartmouth

Peer 1

Peer 2

Dartmouth

Peer 1

Peer 2

Dartmouth

Peer 1

Peer 2

Dartmouth

Peer 1

Peer 2

Rese

arch

w/f

acul

tym

embe

rO

ther

rese

arch

expe

rienc

esIn

dep.

stud

yTu

toria

l hel

p by

dept

.St

udy

abro

ad



35


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SSatisfaction with Other Academic Experiences (cont.)

• Dartmouth students were more satisfied with internships abroad and in publishing/presenting a paper off campus than either peer group.

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Dartmouth

Peer 1

Peer 2

Dartmouth

Peer 1

Peer 2

Dartmouth

Peer 1

Peer 2

Dartmouth

Peer 1

Peer 2

Inte

rnsh

ip in

US

Inte

rnsh

ip a

broa

dO

ff-ca

mpu

s in

US

Publ

ishin

g/pr

esen

tuin

g pa

per o

ffca

mpu

s



36


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• Overall, there were high levels of satisfaction with campus facilities across all institutions.

• Dartmouth students were much more satisfied with labs (98%), athletic facilities (97%), and housing (87%) than students at peers institutions.

Satisfaction with Campus Facilities

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Dartmouth

Peer 1

Peer 2

Dartmouth

Peer 1

Peer 2

Dartmouth

Peer 1

Peer 2

Dartmouth

Peer 1

Peer 2

Dartmouth

Peer 1

Peer 2

Dartmouth

Peer 1

Peer 2

Dartmouth

Peer 1

Peer 2

Clas

sroo

ms

Libr

ary

Com

pute

rfa

cilit

ies

Athl

etic

faci

litie

sHo

usin

gLa

bLa

ngua

gela

bs

Satisfaction with Campus Facilities


37


PE

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• Compared to Peers, Dartmouth students were less satisfied in a number of campus service areas including administration’s responsiveness, psychological counseling, health, food, and career services.

Satisfaction with Campus Services

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Dartmouth

Peer 1

Peer 2

Dartmouth

Peer 1

Peer 2

Dartmouth

Peer 1

Peer 2

Dartmouth

Peer 1

Peer 2

Dartmouth

Peer 1

Peer 2

Dartmouth

Peer 1

Peer 2

Dartmouth

Peer 1

Peer 2

Cam

pus

secu

rity

Food

serv

ices

Stud

ent

empl

oy.

Heal

thse

rvic

esCa

reer

serv

ices

Psyc

h.co

unse

ling

Adm

in.

resp

onsiv

e-ne

ss

Satisfaction with Campus Services


38


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• Dartmouth students were more satisfied than both peer groups on feelings of security and sense of community on campus.

• The areas where Dartmouth students were less satisfied than peers included climate for minority and LGBTQ students and social life on campus.


0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Dartmouth

Peer 1

Peer 2

Dartmouth

Peer 1

Peer 2

Dartmouth

Peer 1

Peer 2

Dartmouth

Peer 1

Peer 2

Dartmouth

Peer 1

Peer 2

Dartmouth

Peer 1

Peer 2

Dartmouth

Peer 1

Peer 2

Feel

ing

ofse

curit

y on

cam

pus

Clim

ate

for

min

ority

stud

ents

Clim

ate

for

LGBT

Qst

uden

ts

Degr

ee o

fet

hnic

/ra

cial

dive

rsity

Sens

eco

mm

unity

on c

ampu

s

Sens

eco

mm

unity

whe

re y

ouliv

eSo

cial

life

on

cam

pus



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• For the majority of remaining campus life items, Dartmouth and peer students had comparable levels of high overall satisfaction (above 80%).

• Dartmouth students were more satisfied with club sports and intercollegiate athletics.

• They were less satisfied with student government, the level of intellectual excitement, and clubs and organizations.

Satisfaction with Campus Life (cont.)

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Dartmouth

Peer 1

Peer 2

Dartmouth

Peer 1

Peer 2

Dartmouth

Peer 1

Peer 2

Dartmouth

Peer 1

Peer 2

Dartmouth

Peer 1

Peer 2

Dartmouth

Peer 1

Peer 2

Dartmouth

Peer 1

Peer 2

Leve

l of

inte

ll.ex

cite

men

t

Spea

kers

,cu

ltura

lev

ents

Club

s &or

gs.

Stud

ent

govt

.Cl

ub sp

orts

Rec/

intr

amur

als

Inte

rcol

leg.

athl

etic

s



40


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S• Dartmouth seniors reported interacting with other groups as much, or more, than peers.

Interactions with Others

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Dartmouth

Peer 1

Peer 2

Dartmouth

Peer 1

Peer 2

Dartmouth

Peer 1

Peer 2

Dartmouth

Peer 1

Peer 2

Dartmouth

Peer 1

Peer 2

Dartmouth

Peer 1

Peer 2

Diffe

rent

ethn

icity

Diffe

rent

natio

nalit

yDi

ffere

ntse

xual

orie

ntDi

ffere

ntre

ligio

nDi

ffere

ntpo

litic

sDi

ffere

nt S

ES

Interaction with Different Groups

Very Often Often

41


PE

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AR

ISON

S• Dartmouth students participated more often than peers in all program types.

Participation

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Dartmouth

Peer 1

Peer 2

Dartmouth

Peer 1

Peer 2

Dartmouth

Peer 1

Peer 2

Raci

al/c

ultu

ral a

war

epr

ogra

mSe

xual

har

assm

ent

wor

ksho

pAl

coho

l aw

aren

ess

sess

ion

Participation

%Yes

42


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AR

ISON

S

• Over half of all respondents received financial aid (e.g., grant, student loan, or work study job).

• Dartmouth seniors who did borrow money tended to owe less compared to peers.

Financial Aid and Debt

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

Amount Borrowed


43


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S• There were no differences between Dartmouth and its peers with respect to the family impact of their student debt.

Impact on Family

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Dartmouth

Peer 1

Peer 2

Impact on Family of Paying for your Education

Severe Considerate

44


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• Half of all respondents were planning on employment during the upcoming Fall.

• A smaller percentage of Dartmouth seniors (15%) planned on attending graduate or professional school full- or part-time compared to both Peer 1 (25%) and Peer 2 (22%) groups.

Plans for the Fall

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

Plans after Graduation


45


• While 90% of students were very or generally satisfied overall, only 81% would definitely or probably recommend Dartmouth to a high school student which resembled him/her.

• The top 10 high satisfaction items spanned academic experiences, including components of the major, as well as campus facilities and campus life.

• Nearly all of the top 10 items that Dartmouth could improve upon fell into the campus services area, most notably administration’s responsiveness to student concerns.

Summary RE

FL

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46


• Over half of Dartmouth students received some type of financial aid.

• Of students who did borrow, the largest percentage borrowed between $5K-$10K and 64% reported that the impact on their family for paying for this education would be considerate or moderate.

• Nearly half of the students plan on working full-time in the fall, while the next largest percentage (15%) plan on attending graduate or professional school.

Summary RE

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EC

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• Dartmouth students reported higher satisfaction than peers in many components of academic experience, instruction, major, and facilities.

• Dartmouth students interacted with different groups at higher rates and also participated more often in various programs related to racial/cultural awareness, sexual harassment, and alcohol awareness compared to peers.

• Dartmouth had a number of components lower than peers in the area of campus life.

Summary REFLECTION

S

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Documents

FINDINGS FROM THE 2012 SENIOR SURVEY - Dartmouth …availability of faculty (98%), while 92% were satisfied with course availability. Satisfaction with Academic Experience. 0%. 20%